This is a mural at the Fullerton Underpass in Chicago. It sits near an oil stain supposedly evoking the Virgin Mary that has been famous since a passerby made the comparison in 2005.
Disregarding the obvious religious allegories to this Derrick Rose shrine, we still think it’s in poor taste – and not even from a basketball-centric perspective.
The waves of injury to Chicago’s native son are indeed heartbreaking, but pale in comparison to overarching emotional pain of Windy City resident gleaned from a place black-marked by gun violence. Public murals should be reserved for meaningful statements on overall cultural health and wellbeing, or even a lack thereof; the state of Rose’s fragile knees simply doesn’t fall under that umbrella.
The 2011 MVP and his Chicago Bulls teammates would undoubtedly agree.
[H/T Eddy Rivera, r/nba] [Video via Alex Kotlowitz]
